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5 Sheets-Sheet l v. L.. WHITE ETAL COMMAND COMMUNICATIONS VOICE CONSOLE July 20, 1965 Filed oct. 19, 1962 July 20, 1965 v. L. WHITE ETAL COMMAND COMMUNICATIONS VOICE CONSOLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1962 y E 5 Mmm n MH... N VLE. MNE OG NR Rm WG/ Y B 920m z m| mi mmwzEl m Gm mzoramd July 29 1965 v.1 wHlTE ETAL 3,96,353

COMMAND COMMUNICATIONS VOICE CONSOLE Filed Oct. 19, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 COMMON DROP MODULE RADIO MODULE INVENTORS VERNON L. WHITE BY GEORGE E. MC ATEE United States Patent O ChhvND CMMUNCATENS VUICE CNSLE Vernon L. White and George E. McAtee, xnard, Caiii.,

assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Get. 19, i962, Ser. No. 231,374 4 Claims. (Cl. S25-53) (Granted under Title 35, UiS. Code (1952), sec. 26d) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates to a universal command communications console and more particularly to a cornmunications console which is quickly and easily adaptable for use in a communications system in which any cornbination of various types of station -outlets are tied thereto.

in the past communications consoles have been designed for use only with a predetermined tying arrangement with various types of station outlets. While this design has been satisfactory where the tying arrangement between the station outlets and the communications console does not change, it is entirely unsatisfactory where it is not known ahead of time what type of station outlet will be tied to a particular channel of the console or where the operational requirements demand that the type of station outlet over a particular channel be changed. When these conditions occur the only solution has been to rewire the circuitry and the components within the console for the new arrangement of station outlets. This procedure is expensive and time consuming and results in a material lessening of operational capability. The present invention overcomes these diliiculties by providing a communications console which is adapted for use with any arrangement of various types of station outlets that may be tied to the console so that the console can be taken to a location where the types of station oulets are previously unknown and can be tied thereto for immediate use or can be immediately changed over should the type of station outlet over any channel be changed. This is accomplished by packaging the components which are speciiic to each type of station outlet into a separate plug-in module and providing a jack for each channel of the console which will receive any one of the various types of modules. Accordingly, any channel can then be adapted for use with any type of station outlet by plugging the module that has the specific components corresponding to the station outlet into the jack. Should the console be intended for a location where the tying arrangement of the station outlets to the console are unknown the communications between the console and the station outlets can be immediately established by tying all of the various types of station outlets to a respective channel and then corresponding the modules with respect thereto. Further, should any station outlet on a particular channel be changed to another type, then communications is effected immediately therewith by changing to a new module corresponding to the new type of station outlet. The remainder of the circuitry Within the console is substantially common for use with all of the station outlets regardless of their type and is operably connected to the station outlets through the specific components in the various modules. A further advantage of the present invention is that 95% of the components that are subject to failure are built into the plug-in modules so that when a failure occurs therein communications with the console can be restored within a minimum of time by merely removing the defective module and replacing it with an- -other like module.

An object of the present invention is to provide a comwithin a minimum of time with any tying arrangement of various types of station outlets thereto.

Another object is to provide a command communications console which can be moved to different communication areas and be employed without substantial alteration for use with various types of station outlets regardless of the tying arrangement of the station outlets to the communications console.

A further object of the invention is to provide a command communications console which can be adapted within a minimum of time for communications over a channel in which the station outlet tied thereto has been changed to another type of station outlet.

Still another object is to provide a command communications console in which a majority of the type of failures of components therein can be changed within a minimum of time.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a communications system in which communications can be maintained between a console and various types of station outlets regardless of the rearrangement of the tying of the station outlets to the consolethrough the consoles channels.

Gther objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate a like part throughout the igures thereof and wherein:

FIG. l shows a block diagram of a communications console tied to a plurality of various types of station outlets.

FlG. 2 shows a schematic view of a jack which is adapted to receive any one of the plug-in modules.

FlG. 3 is a schematic view of a plug-in module having components for use only with a common battery type of station outlet.

FG. 4 is a schematic view of a plug-in module which has components for use only with a communications drop type of station outlet.

FG. 5 is a schematic View of a plug-in module having components for use only with a radio type of station outlet.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views there is shown in FG. l a Command communications console (all that to the left of the patch panel 28) having a plurality of signal information con-ducting channels which are: channels 1 and 1 corresponding to lines il@` and l2 respectively, channels 2 and 2 corresponding to lines ift and i6 respectively, channels 3 and 3 corresponding to lines lli and 2t? respectively, and channels and li corresponding to lines 22 and 2erespectively. The channels are tied via a terminal board 26 and a patch panel 28 to Various types of station outlets, channel l being tied to a common battery station outlet 3d which employs the same power as the console or the receivers and transmitters thereof, channel Z, being tied to a communications drop station outlet 32 which employs its own power for its transmitter and receiver, channel 3 being tied to a magneto phone station outlet 3e and channel 4' being tied via a transmitter ll and receiver lr-Ztl to a radio station outlet 36. The channels that are marked with a prime designation are connected to the terminal board 26 for operation only with the radio type of station outlet, and the channels having no prime designation are connected to the terminal board 26 for use with any of the other type of station outlets, Communications drop station outlet 32. is a general term used to refer to a terminus in a communications system such as at a point Where a customers instrument may be attached for use in the system. Common battery station outlet Sil referes to a station or terminus which utilizes the same power source as the command or control station.

Each of the channels are connected to a respective communication module via a jack, the channels 1 and 1 being connected to a communication module 3S via a jack 4%, the channels 2 and 2 being connected to a communication module 42 via a jack 44, the channels 3 and 3 being connected to a Vcorrmiunication module 46 via a jack 43 and the channels 4 and 4 being connected .to a communication module 59 via a jack 5,2. Each of the communication modules represent components and circuitry which is specic to the station outlet to which it is connected. Accordingly, the module 38 includes all of the components which are specifically used only with the common battery type of station outlet since that type'ot station outlet is connected thereto. The other modules likewise include all of the specific components corresponding to the type of station outlet to which it is connected with the exception of the module 42 which includes a dial 53, the dial being specific to the communications drop type of station outlet. Dial 53 refers to a common telephone dialing device and although it is connected to all station outlets, it can only be used with those stations which have a module which will accept the dial fittings. Each of the communication modules completes the circuit betweenV components which are common to all ofthe station outlets and the station outlets themselves. These components which are common to all of the station outlets, regardless of type, in# clude a keyer 54 connected to each of the jacks via lines 56,' 5S, 6@ and 62, an operators telephone set 64 connected to each of the jacks via lines 66 and 67, a receiver 68 connected to the operators telephone set 64 via a line 75l, a transmitter '72 connected to the operator telephone set 64 via a line 74, a signaling patch panel 76 connected to the keyer 54 via lines 138 and 14?v receiving -48 volts and +48 volts respectively. A rockable key 142 operates with the keyer 54 and performs ringing functions when it is pushed for connection with a lead 144 and for talking keying functions when'it is pushed for connection with a to each of the jacks via lines 78, 80, 82 and 84, and a Y ringer 85 connected t-o the signaling patch panel 76- via a line 8% for use with any of the station outlets upon proper patching of the signaling patch panel 76. Another component used commonly with all the station outlets is a monitor jack panel 90 connected to the signaling patch panel 76 via lines 92, 94, 96, and 93, each of these latter four lines being adapted for use with a respective one of the channels upon proper patching of the signaling patch lpanel 76, and the monitor jack panel 9d further being connected via lines 100, 192, N4 and 106 to lines fill, 14, 1S, and 22', respectively for completing the function of the monitor jack panel 9@ with the respective channels. Dial 53, operators telephone set 64, receiver 63 and transmitter 72 compriserthe central command station of the commandconsole. A monitor amplier 1657 is adapted for connection with the monitor jack panel 9@ via lines 1%8, llllll, 112, and 114, these latter lines being adapted for plugging into the monitor jack panel 9@ for providing specific listening posts of the station outlets (except the radio type ofy station outlet) for an operator ofthe console.

ie dial 53 is interposed in the line 66 for employment over any one of the channels which employs a communications drop type of station outlet. Channel 4 is shown patched via the patch panel 28 to a transmitter 113 and a receiver 12@ for communications over the air with, the station outlet 36. Each line for a channel having a prime designation has four wires with one pair adapted to be connected to the receiver 120. Each line for the channels that do not'have a prime designation have two wires for use with all the station outlets except the radio type of station outlet. Power is fed into the communications modules for performing relay functions therein by various leads, the leads 122 and 124 furnishing'via the jack 40 +48 volts and -48 volts respectively into the communication module 38, the leads 126 and 128 furnishing via the jack 44 -4-8 volts and +48 volts respectively tothe communications module 42, the leads 134i and 132 furnishing viatlie jack 48 -48 volts and +48 volts to the comlead 145. When the key 142 is connected to the lead 144 a +48 volts is fed from line 13S to one wire Within line 56 Vfor ringing purposes and when connected to the lead 146 the +48 volts is fed to another wire within line 56 for talking purposes.- When the key 142 is in a neutral position, as shown in FiG. l, no voltage is applied to either of the wires within line 56.

In FG. 2 there is shown the jack 4t? (also shown in FG. l) which is identical to jacks 44, 48 `and 52, this jack having a base portion 192 which connects wires 194 to female connectors 1%. The jack 4t? is adapted to receive any one of the plug-in modules shown in FIGS. 3,V 4, and 5 by plugging `the male connectors 1% of any one of these modules into the female connectors 196. For reference Vpurposes small letter designations are used to refer to the wires 194, as Well as the female connectors 1% of the jack 4t?. Further, the letter designations are also used to refer to the male connectors 198 and the wires opposite thereof for each of the modules shown in FlGS. 3, 4 and 5. The following table corresponds the wires 1%4 shown in FIG. 2 with therlines from the jackV 4i) snown in'FlG. l (along with the components with which these lines `and wires operate) Lines in Fig. 1 Wires in Fig. 2 Operative Oomponents Vmon battery type station outlet. 4type of end-site has no power of its own but relies en- OTS. D and OTS. K

+218 volts. -48 volts.

TB. TB and MJP. SPP.

It is to be noted that thejack 4tl is polarized by the extra space between the female connectorsl b and c.

The common battery module, shown in FIG. 3, has specific components which are usable only with a com- The common battery tirely upon the power furnished by the console. This type of station outlet can use either a hand phone which is used for calling up on the line when it is taken o' of a hook or a hand set'which is used forY calling up on the line by plugging into `a jack at the station location. In FlG. 3 the wires c, d, e, and f apply a +43 volts potential to a double soleniod of a ringing in double relay 29th and also to a double solenoid of operators talk battery relay 292. Wires g, h, z', and j apply a -48 volts potential to a solenoid of a ringing out relay 2%4, to the double solenoid ofV the Vringing-in double relay Zilli-to the double solenoid of the operators talk battery double relay 2132,' and to a solenoid of a talk relay 266. Wire k Vwhich goes to .the keyer 54 within the console completes the circuit of the solenoid of the ringing-out relay 264, and wire z which also goes to the keyer 54 within the-console completes the circuit to the solenoid of the talk relay 2%. When the console operator de- .sires to talk to the station operator he will push the key 142 to the ring position. Wire k will then pick a +48 volt potential from the keyer 54 and apply it to the solenoidfof the ringing-out relay 294, thereby completing the circuit to this solenoid. This causes the relay to actuate so as to close contacts therein. These contacts connect wires n and o with wires l and m, the wires n and adrawing the 2O cycle ringing power from the signaling patch panel 76. As shown by the table wires l and m lconsole as stated before.

represent channel 1 and go to the station 3i) Via the terminal board 26 and the patch panel 2S. Upon the connection of the wires n and o with wires l and m the cycle ringing power is impressed upon a ringer at the station outlet and apprises the station operator that he has a call from the console operator. After `the console Ioperator has made the ring to the station outlet he will then push the key 1142 to the talk position which Will terminate .the application of +48 volts to line k `and break the connection between the wires n and o to the wires l and m, thereby stopping the ring at the station outlet. When the key 142 is pushed to the talk position wire z completes the circuit to the solenoid Within the talk relay 2% (by applying +48 volts thereto) so as to close contacts therein and connect wires x and y with wires l and m, the wires x and y going to the operators telephone set 64 and the wires l and m going to the station `outlet 39. This connection is made between the talk relay 2% and the ringing-ont relay 204 via wires 2% and 2lb. When the cont-acts in the talk-relay 266 are closed the +48 volt potential and the -48 volt potential applied to the operators talk battery relay 232 are .applied via wires 212 and 214, thence wires 268 and 219 to lines x and y, Aso as to supply the console loperators microphones with talk battery power. After the station operator cornes up on the line by taking his hand set ol of the hook the console operator and the station operator communicate With one another by the connection of Wires l and m with Wires x and y, the former pair going to the station outlet 3l? and the later pair going to the operator telephone set 64 in the Should the station operator desire to cali the console operator he would merely .pick up his hand set which would lift his hook and place a short at the station outlet across the double solenoid of the ringing-in double relay Edil, this short being accomplished across Wires l and m, thence via normally closed contacts in the ringing-out relay Ztl-t to Wires 268 and 2li@ and then through wires 2id and 21S to the double solenoid in the ringing-in relay 2%. The shorting of the double solenoid in the ringing-in relay Ztl@ actuates this relay and closes contacts therein which connect Wires p and q so as to apply the 20 cycle ringing power at the signaling patch panel 76 to the ringer 36. When the console operator hears the ringing at his consoleenergizes the ringing-in relay Ztltl and causing the ringer S to cease ringing. Capacitors 22a.l and 222 are ernployed in the Wires 2% and 2l@ respectively to prevent the talk battery of +48 volts and +48 volts from being applied to the talk wires l and m. Accordingly, the power from the relay 292 over wires 2i2 and 2l@ will then be applied only to the console operators head set. All of the wires of the common battery module are connected to the male connectors i9?) Within a base member 224.

The communications drop module as shown in FIG. 4 has speciiic components usable 4only with the communications drop type of station outlet. The commun-ications drop arrangement is simply for use with the ordinary telephone type of circuit where dialing is performed, this dialing being eiected at the console to a communications drop type of station outlet through the dial 53 and the dialing from `the station outlet to the console being effected by a dial at the station outlet. ln FIG. 4 a 4S volt potential is fed to a solenoid with-in a talk relay 226 via wires g, Il, i and j and the circuit is completed to this solenoid by the wire z when the console operator pushes the key i432 to the talk position. When the console operator desires to call a communications drop type of station outlet he will .push the key 142 to the talk position which causes the Wire z to feed a +48 volt wires i and u via a transformer 236. operator desire to talk to the console operator he will potential from the keyer S4 to the solenoid of the talk relay 226, thereby completing the circuit to this solenoid. This will close contacts within the relay which connect wires x and y with wires 1 and m, the wires x and y going to the operators telephone set 64 and the Wires I and m going to the station outlet 32 via a cornmunications central (not shown). The console operator Will then dial the number of the station outlet over the dial 53 which impresses a. signal on wires x and y and thence wires l and m, this signal being processed by the communications central and causing a ringer at the station outlet to ring. When the .station operator hears the ring he will pick up his phone which brings the station operator up on wires l and m for communications with the console operator through wires x .and y. Should the station operator desire to call the console operator he will dial the console operators telephone number which will be processed by the communications central to connect the station operator to wires l Iand m. Wires l and m are connected with Wires v and w via contacts in the talk relay 2.26 when the solenoid therein is in the deenergized stat-e, the wires v and w going to .the signaling patch panel 76. The signaling patch panel 76 is patched to connect Wires v and w with Wires a and b, the wires a and b going to a solenoid within a ringing-in double relay 22S. The energy applied to this solenoid closes contacts therein which connect wires p and q to one another. When Wires p and q are connected together the 2O cycle ringing power at the signaling patch panel 76 is applied to the ringer 86 causing the ringer S6 to ring and notify the console operator that he has a call from a station outlet. The cons-ole operator then pushes the key 142 to the talk posit-ion which energizes the solenoid within the talk relay 226 as previously discussed. Upon the solenoid within the talk relay 22o being energized the contacts therein break the connection between the wires l and m with the Wires v and w thereby deenergizing the solenoid in the ringing-in double relay 228 and term-inating the ring on the ringer S6. At the same time wires l and m' are connected via contacts in the talk relay 226 to wires :c and y, thereby establishing voice communications between the station outlet 32 and the console. Like all the communication modules the communications dro-p module has a base member 23@ wlr'ch connects the male connectors 19h to the wires opposite thereof,

The radio module, shown in FIG. 5, is usable only with a radio type of station outlet in which the console and the station outlet communicate with one another over the air via receivers and transmitters. In FIG. 5 the wires r and s go to the transmitter H8 and the wires t and u go to the receiver 120, thereby enabling the console operator to talk to the station outlet 35 over wires r and s and listen to talk from the station outlet over -wires t and u. Wires c, d. e and f deliver a +48 volts to a double solenoid Within the transmitter key double relay 232 and the Wires g, li, and j deliver a 48 voltage potential to the other side of the double solenoid in the relay 232 as Well as to solenoid within a talk relay 234. The wire z completes Ythe circuit with the solenoid Within the talk relay 234 when the key 142 is pressed. The wires r and s are tied to the Should the station vmake his call up on a station outlet transmitter which call up is received by the receiver F.2d. This call up Comes in on wires t and u and is picked up o-n the monitor ampliiier 197 via the monitor jack panel 96. The console operator upon hearing the call up on the monitor amplifier 167 will press the key 142 to the talk position thereby completing the circuit of the solenoid Within the talk relay 234. This will then connect wires x and y to the Wires, r, s and t, u via contacts within the talk relay 234 so that the console operator may send his transmission over the transmitter 113 to the station operator or receive over the receiver from the station operator. The console operator then utilizes a microphone (not shown) having a button, the

button when pressed keying .the transmitter 113. During Atransmitting or receiving atvthe console ,the transmitter key double relay 232 remains energized, thus connect-ing the wires r, s, t and u to the wires x and y so that the butf ton on the microphone is left to select either the transmitting or receivingmode via the keying operation at the transmitter 11S. Like the other communication modules the radio module has a base member 238 whichrconnects the male connectors 198 to the Wires opposite thereof.

It is to'be noted that the various types of station outlets Vmentioned herein are merely given as examples and accordingly many other types of station loutlets can be adapted to the invention by separating the components that are specific to each station outlet and packaging them such that they can be inserted into the jacks 40, 44, 48 or 52. Y

In the operation of the device the console operator need merelyinsert the communications module within the jack which corresponds to the station outlet on the particular channel. VShould the operator desire to change the station loutlet to a diterent type he will patch into the new type via the patch panel ZSfand then change the comthe scope of the appended claims, the invention may beV practiced otherwise than as specically described.

We claim:

1. A command communications console adapted to establish communications between a plurailty of station outlets having various types of fittings comprising: Y

a central command station including at least one corn-v munication component common to and adapted to be connected to all of said types of stati-on outlets; a'plurality of channels for conducting signal information between said central station and said plurality of station outlets; terminal means for connecting any one of the various station outlets to a respective channel; at least one other communication component speciiic to each type of station outlet; each specific component adapted to be connected to only one respective type of station outlet; each of said specific components being packaged into a separate communication module; and a plurality of module receiving means each of which receives only one module and connects said common component to a respective channel via said one module; Y each of said module receiving means being capable of receiving any one of said modules; whereby communications can be effected between any arrangement of vari-ous types of station outlets connected to the channels by selectively arranging the separate communication modules in their respective gigaset.

y lmodule receiving means corresponding to the station outlets. Y

2. The device as deined in claim l wherein each of said module receiving means includes a connector having male and female portions; y l one of said portions being operably connected to a specic component and the other portion being operably connected to a respective channel and the common component. Y

Y 3. The device as defined in claim l Vwherein there is a plurality of common components which include;

a transmitter-receiver at the central station for originating and receiving signal information transmissions from the station outlets;

said transmitter-receiver connected via said communication modules to the stationoutlets;

a keyer connected via said communication modules to Y the station outlets for alternately connecting a ring circuit or a talk circuit therebetween; and

a ringer connected via said communication modules to said station outlets for alerting the station desired to be reached. Y

4. A communications system comprising;

a plurality of channels for conducting signal information; Y j Y a plurality of Vstationoutlets of various types including a Ycentralfcomrnand station, a communications drop station outlet, a common battery station outlet and a radio station outlet;

means interchangeably connecting each channel to a respective station or station outlet;

communication components including a transmitter-receiver, a keyer and a ringer which are common to and adapted to be connected to all of said types of stations y or station outlets;

at least one other communication component which is specic to each type of station or station outlet with each specic component adapted to be connected to only one respective type of station or station outlet;

each of the specific components being packaged into a separate plug-in-module; and

a plurality of jacks;

each of said jacksy receiving only one module and connecting the common components to a respective channel via said one module;

`each jack being capable of receiving any one of the modules;

whereby communications can be effected between any ,arrangement of various types of stationsor station outlets connected to the channels by selectively arranging the modules in their respective jacks correspending to the station outlets.

' References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,488,372 V11/49Y Breisch 317-101 2,808,452 10/57 Kennedy et al 325-53 3,031.570 4/62 oNeii 325-356 3,044,046 7*/62 Domimefer 317-101 FOREIGN PATENTS 486,666 6/38 Great Britain.

DAVD G. REDINBAUGH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMMAND COMMUNICATION CONSOLE ADAPTED TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF STATION OUTLETS HAVING VARIOUS TYPES OF FITTINGS COMPRISING: A CENTRAL COMMAND STATION INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE COMMUNICATION COMPONENT COMMON TO AND ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO ALL OF SAID TYPES OF STATION OUTLETS; A PLURALITY OF CHANNELS FOR CONDUCTING SIGNAL INFORMASTATION OUTLETS; TERMINAL MEANS FOR CONNECTING ANY ONE OF THE VARIOUS STATION OUTLETS TO A RESPECTIVE CHANNEL; AT LEAST ONE OTHER COMMUNICATION COMPONENT SPECIFIC TO EACH TYPE OF STATON OUTLET; EACH SPECIFIC COMPONENT ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO ONLY ONE RESPECTIVE TYPE OF STATION OUTLET; EACH OF SAID SPECIFIC COMPONENTS BEING PACKAGED INTO A SEPARATE COMMUNICATION MODULE; AND A PLURALITY OF MODULE RECEIVING MEANS EACH OF WHICH RECEIVES ONLY ONE MODULE AND CONNECTS SAID COMMON COMPONENT TO A RESPECTIVE CHANNEL VIA SAID ONE MODULE; EACH OF SAID MODULE RECEIVING MEANS BEING CAPABLE OF RECEIVING ANY ONE OF SAID MODULES; WHEREBY COMMUNICATIONS CAN BE EFFECTED BETWEEN ANY ARRANGEMENT OF VARIOUS TYPES OF STATION OUTLETS CONNECTED TO THE CHANNELS BY SELECTIVELY ARRANGING THE SEPARATE COMMUNICATION MODULES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE MODULE RECEIVING MEANS CORRESPONDING TO THE STATION OUTLETS. 